BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I don't know if I'd want to put duct tape on my ear.

Thanks again for the input guys. I have quite a collection of CD's and cassette tapes so I might go with the mp 3 player so I can record onto that. Wearing earplugs of any sort while driving or riding is indeed illegal in CA though most cops will look the other way if its just for hearing protection...

Thanks all for the very informative replyes. I think I will try some helmet speakers to start with. Riding with ear buds is not legal here in Ca and I need to be aware of my surroundings while riding in traffic. Being an old fuddy duddy I'm afraid that I don't have a clue as to what I-pods and mp-3 ...

I'm thinking of adding a little music to my ride by way of helmet mounted earphones. Problem is I don't have any experience with anything like this and was wondering if anyone out there might be able to give me some advice on the subject.

As far as my bike is concerned the throttle bodies are adjusted to factory specs. Fuel and air filters are fresh. The spark plugs are also clean with gaps well within range. Once warmed up the bike runs smooth and strong as its always done. I follow the recomended cold start procedures to the letter...

I have the same problem with the bike not wanting to start up anywhere below 40 degrees. This in spite of a recent dealer tuneup where every thing was adjusted to factory spec. I live in northern Cal where we have winter blend gas. The bike is an 04 with 45000 miles on it and it turns over just fine...

Fog city works best and for the longest time though I agree that it is a pain to install. Pinlocks work great but tend to loosen up then fall out after a few cleanings. I've never had much luck with anti fog fluids or cloth, save your money. I ride most everyday in the SF bay area so I have some exp...

If you can afford it Gerbings electric clothing under a quality riding suit should keep you toasty in all sorts of weather............tkm

You might want to check out RKA's expandable soft saddlebags. They fit the bike perfectly, are easy to take on and off. Mine have held up really well during 2 years of commuting through all sorts of weather.........tkm

The easiest and cheapest solution to butt pain is to wear comfortable underwear. Padded bicycle are said to work well too as do sheepskin butt pads. I've also found that the type of pants I'm wearing on the ride have a huge effect on riding comfort. Lastly there may be more comfortable seats for the...

Thanks for the feedback guys. I finally got the thing on. The procedure is to turn the pulley while feeding the belt on. Its really a two person job my wife was so kind to help me with. What we did take out the spark plugs to ease compression then I had her turn the 16mm bolt on the pulley while I f...

As part of the 36K maintenance on my 04 1150R I made the mistake of taking on the alternator belt replacement myself. I am having the devil of a time getting the new belt on. It is the right belt. The alternator is slacked all the way to the block but I still can't get the darn thing on both pulleys...

Can't vouch for earlier models but my 04 1150R runs just fine on 87 octane on all but the hottest days. When I do hear pinging its usually solved by a quick down shift. Ride safe.............tkm

I just replaced the rear Z6 on my roadster. This is the fourth one and best I've ever done is about 8000 miles for the rear. Fronts last about 10-12000 miles. There are wear bars on the tires marked by the letters TWI on the sidewall when you see these bars flush with the tread the tire is toast.......

Riding two up is a far different experience than riding solo and takes a while to get used to. That being said here are some of the things you can do to make it better: Bump up the rear shock preload as far as it will go. You want to keep the back of the bike from sagging as much as possible. While ...

Before you take the step over to a cruiser try to take it for an extended test ride at least 30 minutes in the seat. Most cruisers lock you into one riding posture and if this doesn't fit you it can be pure torture on a longer ride.................tkm

Plugs look dirty, rusty with a lot of carbon build up but are otherwise OK. I suspect that the bike has been running rich for a while likely due to a dirty air filter. Spark plugs can last for a very long time as long as the engine doesn't run too hot.................tkm

Not a normal situation at all. Check the tank air vent for blockage....................tkm

If the noise is not coming from the exhaust side chances are it's coming from the intake you might want to check that plumbing too just don't use soapy water this time.

You might want to check for leaks somewhere in the exhaust system. A spray bottle with soapy water works well for this................tkm